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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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smallest in number

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest in number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or amounts, indicating that one group has fewer items than others. Example: "Among all the teams, our group had the smallest in number of participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

According to the report, among Jesuits on the East Coast three factions formed around the sale of the 272: One faction, the smallest in number, opposed the sale on moral principle and favored emancipation; another, the largest, favored keeping the slaves as (curiously) a "religious obligation"; and the third, which included the most powerful figures, argued for sale.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Self-described anarchists are small in number.

They are smaller in number but they do exist".

less means smaller in quantity, eg less money; fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins.

News & Media

The Guardian

The other extremely successful immigrant group, although smaller in number, is, in a nice twist, Jews.

News & Media

The New Yorker

(Conservatives, though small in number, would say that anything over 40percentt debt is risky).

News & Media

The New York Times

Midterm electorates tend to be whiter, older and smaller in number than voters at presidential elections.

News & Media

The Guardian

The fans may be small in number, but they are devoted.

News & Media

The New York Times

Two million people, but the elites are small in number and they all no each other.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Meaningful, perhaps, but "the victories are small in number, and it takes a lot of time.

Enslaved Africans in British North America were relatively isolated and far smaller in number.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smallest in number", ensure you are comparing distinct, countable groups. For instance, "Among the applicants, those with prior experience were smallest in number."

Common error

Avoid using "smallest in number" with uncountable nouns. Instead of saying "The information available was smallest in number", use "The amount of information available was the smallest."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest in number" functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that the described entity has the fewest countable units compared to others. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smallest in number" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a group or category has the fewest countable units compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its use in various contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "least numerous" and "in the minority" exist, it's crucial to ensure accurate application, especially with countable nouns. The phrase is best used to compare distinct groups, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences.

FAQs

What does "smallest in number" mean?

The phrase "smallest in number" means being the group or quantity that contains the fewest items compared to others.

How can I use "smallest in number" in a sentence?

You can use "smallest in number" to compare groups. For example: "The group opposing the plan was "smallest in number" but vocal."

What is a good alternative to "smallest in number"?

Alternatives to "smallest in number" include "least numerous", "fewest in quantity", or "in the minority" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less in number" instead of "smallest in number"?

While "less in number" is understandable, it is not as precise as "smallest in number" or "fewest in number". "Less" is typically used for uncountable nouns, while "fewest" or "smallest" are more appropriate for countable items.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: